Leave It To The Experts
I've been shooting archery equipment for about 6 years now, but I always had my local shop tune my bow. I want to know how to tune the string. I have a Jennings Uniforce 800 single-cam bow. How far should the string be from both ends of the riser? I do know that both measurements are not the same.
-James Booth, Clarksville, Tennessee
I'd love to give a specific answer to your question, but I'm missing important information. I believe you're talking about tiller and brace height, but these are only two of the many details of tuning a bow. The best information I can give is to call your local pro shop and make an appointment. Explain that you'd like to go through the entire tuning process with them so you can get a better understanding of all that it entails. An experienced pro shop staff can make sure the bow and arrows match your physical qualities. You'll also be able to shoot a variety of arrows to guarantee a perfect match to your bow.
Ask the pro shop owner to assist you in paper tuning your bow and don't be embarrassed to get answers to anything you don't understand.
They'll probably charge you a small fee for this service, but it will enable you to get a hands-on education on completely tuning your bow. -Jay Verzuh
Deerslayer Details
I'm an avid whitetail deer hunter. I purchased an Indian Deerslayer when I was 12 years old and am interested in the history of this particular bow. I've killed 11 deer and various small game with this bow. I've looked everywhere for information on this bow and read a recent article in Bowhunter magazine in which you mentioned this bow as being produced from 1968 to 1971. Thank you for your valuable information and insight into a sport which I truly love and enjoy. -Tony Little, Ashdown, Arkansas
Your mention of the old Indian Deerslayer brought forth a rush of special memories. I grew up within an hour's drive of Evansville, Indiana, where the Indian bows were produced, and I tagged my first white-tailed buck just north of there in November of 1963. I owned and shot several Indian recurves in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Indian Deerslayer model was a 60-inch hunting bow that came in 28-inch draw weights of 40 to 55 pounds. The bow's brace height was 7 1/2 inches. The riser was African rosewood; its limbs were black fiberglass and maple laminations. A new Deerslayer sold for $60.
Today, when many modern products are seemingly manufactured and marketed with built-in obsolescence in mind, it's refreshing to know that a decades-old bow is still delivering its money's worth when each new deer season rolls around. With due care, it should continue to serve you well. -M.R. James
Cowpie Cover Scent
I'm a new member of the North American Hunting Club and I recently received the book "Whitetail Wisdom." In one chapter, it discusses a hunter who says his all-time favorite cover scent is fresh cowpie. He also notes that at least one company now markets a cattle cover scent.
I have researched major companies like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and my local sporting goods stores, and nobody has heard of this scent. Could you tell me where I could get this scent as I regularly hunt next to a cattle pasture? -Moe Taillon, Maiden, North Carolina
You've answered your own question. Why spend money for a commercially bottled cow-dung cover scent when you hunt next to a cattle field where there's a never-ending supply of the stuff? You should be able to scoop enough into a plastic wide-mouth jar or baggie to eliminate the slightest trace of your scent. I doubt if the landowner will mind if you help yourself to a few pounds throughout the season. Quite often I've tromped in fresh cowpies on the way to a deer stand. I'm sure it helps cover my scent trail, but it also brings back fond memories of my childhood days in farm country. I've never seen this type of cover scent on the market probably because it's so readily available in the field. Save yourself research, time and money, and stick with the real deal. -Judd Cooney